Hi Fam 1st,
        My boys are back to school in a couple of weeks, and I must say their summer break has actually been a productive one.Thank you for having my sons join your Architecture Camp this summer! I wanted them to have more to do than just play sports and video games (which they'd gladly do).
Your Architecture Camp was the perfect idea!!

     You started out the week by helping the kids open their minds and use their creativity. You brought in an actual artist. My kids framed their finished spray painted pictures and hung them up :)
I thought it was really neat that the boys and girls were given the freedom to use their imaginations to create and express what they really wanted. Those young kids had some really neat ideas!  One project that stands out was the hidden building in the clouds. And another one was the project designed to help young girls with emotional problems. That's how great minds are developed; freedom to explore and grow. They got a lot done in a week, including a field trip to learn about bio-mimicry. Wow!

     As a single mom, having my boys in a safe learning environment while I'm at work is important. It opened their minds to the world of Architecture. You fed them breakfast, good lunches, and plenty of snacks. You had a great group of volunteers and teachers as well. You certainly put a lot into this camp and I'm extremely thankful. The dance off towards the end was a great way to finish the week. You put fun into learning :)   Oh, can't forget to mention that my sons favorite football player, Beastmode, came to watch their final presentations. He was involved, asking him questions about his project.  That was memorable. Speaking in front of your sports idol?!  Thank You!!!

    I ended up being a foster child and a young mother. Now I'm a single mother. Now that I'm older, and know better, I look to show my boys examples of good men. We have our own little family discussions about it and we read together a lot. My job as a mother is to provide this world with intelligent,  productive, caring men.  Not having uncles and grandfathers, I look to our church programs, and programs like yours for access to seeing young good men in action. They get to see other young black men who stayed true to their passions and followed their dreams actually giving back.  No one is perfect, or expected to be the "perfect" role model. Marshawn, Josh and Marcus have made themselves accessible to the community. All the things they do really help in more than a financial way. That's priceless. Even if they don't realize it.

​Thanks again for ALL you do!

   We dedicated our Sunday to preparing the youth in our Oakland community for the 2018-2019 school year. Over 300 youth received backpacks, school supplies, and a few extra trinkets. Free hair cuts and hair braiding was provided by local barbers and beauticians. Our hope is that each and every student begins the school year confident, eager to learn, and motivated to elevate.  #wedoitforthekids